Meta

Jo Boobs, Headmistress

One of the biggest names in the burlesque revival is Jo Weldon (aka Jo Boobs). She’s performed for audiences around the world, and her style and skill are so coveted that she eventually opened the New York School of Burlesque to share her knowledge with wannabe performers. The demand for burlesque lessons stretched far beyond New York City, though, so in 2011, Weldon wrote The Burlesque Handbook so women everywhere could cop her striptease skills.

I’d seen Weldon perform all over the city, and was thrilled when my editor asked me to review her book. I decided that a review wasn’t enough, though, and I called Weldon to talk to her about it. We discussed the appeal of burlesque, what separates a good striptease artist from a mere stripper, and how her book could help not only performers but men and women who want to get a little artsy in the bedroom. And somehow I crammed our entire conversation into less than 200 words.

You can read my brief interview with Jo Weldon, which appeared in the September 2011 issue of Penthouse, below.

Although The Burlesque Handbook teaches the ins and outs of putting together a professional act, burlesque star Jo Weldon’s tips can be utilized by anyone—including your girlfriend.

Weldon is the founder and headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, as well as a distinguished dancer in the burlesque world known to fans as Jo Boobs, so she knows a thing or two about the art of tassel twirling. Her book focuses on everything a dancer needs to know, from proper posture to making pasties, but even if your girl’s performing for an audience of one, she’ll benefit from the information. Moves like the “straptease” and “glove peel” can easily be put into practice at home, and the lessons on seductive stocking removal are sure to come in handy on the stage or in the bedroom. Even men can glean some tips from the book.

“Any time a guy makes a striptease game out of taking off a jacket or shirt in front of a woman, there’s a good chance she’ll admire his confidence and playfulness and find him more attractive,” Weldon says.

Which means you should buy the book for your girlfriend, but give it a look before handing it over.